My two weeks in Ireland fishing on Lough Corrib were desperately frustrating. Last year’s excellent results were a distant memory as we struggled and scratched to connect with the odd (albeit good) fish. We weren’t the only ones to be disappointed. A party of Italian lure fishers staying with us at Portarra Lodge didn’t manage a single fish. This was despite being guided by Michael Canney who knows where the pike live. Mark Corps, of Inland Fisheries Ireland, sent me an email to report on his poor results. Mark is a highly accomplished fly fisher – he took the record salmon for the Delphi Fishery earlier this year and has caught many good pike from Lough Corrib.

If I was trying to find an excuse, I would cite the heavy rainfall, the sharp rise in the water level and the extra colour in the water. Maybe I should just admit my inadequacies and buy a set of 'L' plates for my boat! I must say that the attitude of the anglers on the trips was exemplary. Richard Spittal (who has caught seven 20lb pike in a single session) enjoyed the craic and valued the chance to learn more about handling a boat in challenging conditions. Brandon Davies, a regular client, only had one fish but it was his biggest-ever pike and tried to pull him out of the boat.

There were compensations. The Guinness was perfect. The company was good. My splendid new Isuzu Denver performed manfully. As usual, I had travelled to Ireland on the good ship, Stena Europe. Crossing on the ferry allows me to bring loads of kit which would be impossible on the plane. Inflatable lifejackets, spare rods and reels help to ensure that the clients’ fishing isn’t cut short by unplanned disasters. The Isuzu is a crew-cab pickup. It enables me to transport three guiding clients in roomy comfort and has a cavernous load-space at the back. Petrol outboards are stowed in this load-space rather than inside the car and there is far more luggage carrying capacity than my old Landrover used to provide. I was also pleasantly surprised by how frugal it was on diesel, considering its size and performance. The four-wheel drive capability was called upon to haul gear to the boat mooring as the torrential rainfall had made the bog impassable for a standard, two wheel drive car.

Back in Blighty, I have resumed normal service, guiding on the old estate lake. Whilst we haven’t managed a proper, red letter day yet, the pike have been reasonably co-operative. I’m crossing my fingers, praying that the mild autumn conditions hang on for a while and that some big girls come to play. We had some heavyweights when the season opened in June and I think someone could catch a real monster. The trees which border the lake are providing a wonderful display of colour which adds a perfect backdrop to the fishing. The tufted duck have arrived in greater numbers than previous years. I’m crossing my fingers that the peregrine (who seems particularly partial to tufties) returns as usual and puts on his deadly aerobatic displays. I’ve always enjoyed watching raptors hunt whilst I am hunting predatory pike. Even the humbler buzzards delight me with their soaring flight and mewing calls. I’ll let you know how we fare!